My ‘One Word’ this week is: ALS

“You have ALS (A.K.A. Lou Gehrig’s disease!)”

Imagine being told you have a terminal illness…at 33 years old. That’s exactly what happened to Brooke Eby, who was diagnosed with ALS in March of 2022 after four years of confusing symptoms in her leg.

If you want to witness courage-in-action, then please listen to this moving conversation I had with Brooke, who is fighting ALS with humor!

ALS is a degenerative nervous system disease impacting nerve cells in the brain. Eventually, all of your muscles stop working. They give patients an average prognosis of 2 to 5 years when diagnosed, and they usually die because they can no longer breathe on their own.

There is no cure!

Brooke said that after receiving this terminal diagnosis, she felt a mix of shock, sadness, and, ultimately, depression during the first couple of months.

However, ALS has given her a new sense of purpose, compelling her to dedicate her days to amplifying awareness of this disease through social media and advocacy.

Brooke chose to share her ALS journey publicly after witnessing actress Selma Blair’s impact in raising awareness for multiple sclerosis. She identified the need for a relatable “face” for ALS and began creating humorous videos on TikTok to gauge interest.

The response has been overwhelming, inspiring her to build a community where people feel comfortable asking questions and openly discussing terminal diagnoses.

With millions of views, Brooke’s ultimate goal is to continue using her humor to boost others through their hard times.

Brooke and I experienced the gamut of emotions throughout our conversation: Happiness, sadness, fear, anger, surprise, and disgust (I even said the “F” word a few times). Her vulnerability is admirable.

While it’s not always easy, being grateful for the positives in life profoundly impacts your mood, outlook, and overall well-being. I guarantee you this episode will increase your gratitude.

Brooke: I know your time is really precious, and it means the world to me that you gave me some of it.

One Word: THANKS!

Please go follow Brooke’s ALS journey on TikTok and Instagram: @limpbroozkit